Meiji Decorative Objects

MEIJI STYLE

From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.

Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.

The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.

Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.

Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Meiji

Japanese Contemporary Gold Green Black Porcelain Jar by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain lidded jar, intricately hand painted in black, green and red with generous gold details, showcasing patchwork of overlapping flor...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Gold Green Black Porcelain Jar by Master Artist

$2,850

Contemporary Japanese Red Gold Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 4

Located in Takarazuka, JP

exceptional contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted on an elegantly shaped globular porcelain body, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Contemporary Japanese Red Gold Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 4

$4,250

Japanese Contemporary Purple Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite Japanese contemporary porcelain vase, an exceptional piece, intricately hand painted in yellow, purple and green, and signed by widely acclaimed master porcelain artist of ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Purple Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$4,500

Japanese Contemporary Red Black Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Unique Japanese contemporary porcelain charger in light red, black and yellow, set against a beautiful red background decorated with an extremely intricate decoration in gold, a sign...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Red Black Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$1,000

Japanese Contemporary Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Unique Japanese contemporary hand-painted ovoid porcelain charger in pure green decorated in light green and yellow, a signed work by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist and rec...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$800

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exceptional contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in various shades of blue, green and red set against an elegant ovoid body, a signed work by hig...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$4,750

Japanese Contemporary Blue Platinum Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, stunningly hand painted in underglaze cobalt blue, set against a unique crackled back...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Platinum

Japanese Contemporary Blue Platinum Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$2,350

Japanese Contemporary Red Black Gold Platinum Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in vivid red, platinum and gold, set against a beautifully shaped dimpled porcelain body in black, an exquisite signed p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Platinum

Japanese Contemporary Red Black Gold Platinum Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$750

Japanese Contemporary White Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 1

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exceptional large contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative charger, extremely intricately hand painted in auspicious underglaze blue ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary White Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 1

$6,500

Japanese Contemporary Red Green Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, hand painted in red and green with generous gold details on a striking bott...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Red Green Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$1,950

Japanese Contemporary Green Red Purple Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase hand-painted on an elegant bottle shape body, depicting dramatic chrysanthemum in green, red and purple, a signed piece by highly accl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Green Red Purple Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$1,200

Contemporary Japanese Red Blue Black Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Extraordinary contemporary Japanese hand painted decorative porcelain vase, an exclusive signature masterpiece in blue and red by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist of the Imar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Contemporary Japanese Red Blue Black Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$4,500

Japanese Contemporary Green Blue White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, elegantly hand painted in iron-red, green and blue on a stunningly shaped porcelain body, a signed masterpiece by widely ac...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Green Blue White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$4,000

Japanese Contemporary Red Green White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Elegant contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, hand painted in red, blue and green on a beautifully shaped body, a signed wo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Red Green White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$1,050

Japanese Contemporary White Red Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 5

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Elegant contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, beautifully hand painted in red, white and blue on a strikingly shaped body, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary White Red Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 5

$1,150

Japanese Contemporary Blue Orange Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Extraordinary Japanese museum quality contemporary decorative porcelain vase, painstakingly intricately hand painted in stunning hues of blue on a beautifully shaped body, a signed m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue Orange Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$5,850 Sale Price

44% Off

Japanese Contemporary Black Platinum Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Unique contemporary Japanese porcelain vase, hand painted showcasing a dramatic dragon set against a dimpled black background, a signed piece from the signature dragon collection by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Platinum

Japanese Contemporary Black Platinum Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3

$750

Japanese Contemporary Platinum Pink Green Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite Japanese contemporary large dimpled decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in vivid blue, green and pink on an elegant cylinder shape porcelain body with a stunning scalloped rim, set against an attractive platinum background, a signed masterpiece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. The artist is the recipient of numerous awards for his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. This graceful large vase depicts elegant Japanese toad...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Platinum

Japanese Contemporary Platinum Pink Green Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$3,950

Japanese Green Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master , 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary Japanese gilded and dimpled porcelain vase decorated with auspicious "ran" or orchid in green, blue and iron-red, by highly respected master porcelain artist i...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Green Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master , 3

$3,650

Japanese Contemporary White Blue Red Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Unique Japanese contemporry decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in red and beautiful shades of blue on an elegantly shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by widely acclaime...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary White Blue Red Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$1,185

Japanese White Red Green Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase hand painted in red, white and green on a beautifully shaped body, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcela...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese White Red Green Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist

$985

Japanese Green Black Gold Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exqusite Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative vase, intricately gilded and hand painted in vivid green, red and deep blue on an ovoid porcelain body in a stunningly beautiful shape, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition and the recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. His profile is available upon request. It depicts a whimsical interpretation of a cherry tree with its graceful trunk in beautiful deep blue and its hanging branches stretching across the whole body of this stunningly shaped vase, and blossoms in deep blue, red and purple hanging...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Green Black Gold Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$4,950

Japanese Contemporary Black Brown Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Extraordinary museum quality contemporary Japanese hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase in a stunningly shape in black and brown, a masterpiece by a highly respected master porcelai...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Black Brown Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$9,850

Japanese Contemporary Brown Blue Red Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Exquisite contemporary highly collectible large hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase, an exhibition masterpiece titled "Dawn" by master porcelain artist from the Arita-Imari region ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Brown Blue Red Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist

$11,600 Sale Price

20% Off

Japanese Contemporary Red Brown Hand-Glazed Porcelainn Vase by Master Artist, 3

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Mesmerizing museum-quality hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase, an award-winning exhibition masterpiece by a master artist of the Arita-Imari region of Japan. The artist is a maste...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Platinum

Japanese Contemporary Red Brown Hand-Glazed Porcelainn Vase by Master Artist, 3

$10,500 Sale Price

30% Off

Large Contemporary Japanese Whit Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Unique contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in underglazed blue on an elegantly shaped globular porcelain body, a signed piece by widely respecte...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large Contemporary Japanese Whit Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$2,250 Sale Price

30% Off

Japanese Contemporary Blue Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

Located in Takarazuka, JP

Extraordinary museum-quality Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand painted in blue, red and yellow on a stunningly shaped ovoid body, a signed m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2

$4,400 Sale Price

20% Off

Group of 6 Plates Porcelain Japan 19th-20th Century, Japan, Meiji Era

Located in Milano, IT

Group of six porcelain plates decorated within reserves with two groups of geishas and samurai figures in walled gardens with Mount Fuji horizon, all set against a richly painted blu...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Group of 6 Plates Porcelain Japan 19th-20th Century, Japan, Meiji Era

$1,078 / set

A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp, the rectangular box worked in coloured enamels in standard, moriage (raised) and musen (wireless) cloisonné with one gre...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp

$4,586

Meiji period bronze

Located in Atlanta, GA

Very fine Japanese bronze of two territorial beasts, on a decoratively carved teak base. The base is 34 inches long, the bronze is 29 inches long.

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Meiji period bronze

$9,250

Pair of Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Vases with Mask Head Handles, circa 1900

Located in Central England, GB

A pair of Meiji Period Japanese bronze vases. This fine pair of late 19th century Japanese bronze vases are well proportioned and of a good decorative size. They are beautifully decorated with panels on one side with magpies amongst irises and the opposite with sparrows in a magnolia tree. They are cast and then finely hand finished with chasing from small chisels. They have mask head...

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Vases with Mask Head Handles, circa 1900

$1,349 / set

Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A large Meiji period Satsuma earthenware floor vase, the of baluster form, painted in pastel overglaze enamels and gilding with two large sprays of flowers including prunus blossom, ...

Category

1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase

$4,602

Large Pair of Antique Japanese Meiji Bronze Vases

Located in London, by appointment only

A pair of large Japanese Bronze vases dating from the Meiji period. Of baluster form with raised panels of birds among tree branches foliage...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Pair of Antique Japanese Meiji Bronze Vases

$12,954 / set

Cloisonné Vase with Silver Mounted, Japan, circa 1900

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Cloisonné vase with silver mounted. Japan, circa 1900.

Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Cloisonné Vase with Silver Mounted, Japan, circa 1900

$15,000

Pair of Large Meiji Period Bronze Vases

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A pair of large Meiji period bronze vases, each of baluster form raised on three oni-mask feet on a ring-shaped base, applied with arched mask-and-ring handles, finely inlaid in patinated metals, silver and gilt with boys playing around a large water jar...

Category

1910s Japanese Vintage Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Meiji Period Bronze Vases

$33,749 / set

Japanese Burl Presentation Platform

Located in Hudson, NY

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) burl wood slab for presenting a flower arrangment or beautiful object.

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Burl

Japanese Burl Presentation Platform

$5,500

Iga-ware Earthenware Flower Container

Located in Hudson, NY

Meiji period (1868-1912) vase with characteristic Iga-ware ears and rough, sandy clay. Comes in original storage box with silk jacket and drawstring.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Iga-ware Earthenware Flower Container

$2,800

A Japanese Meiji Period Patinated Bronze Censer

Located in Stamford, CT

A Japanese Meiji censer rising on three stylized Foo Dogs feet with Frog form handles. Censer having exceptional patination. Acquired from Michael Goedh...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A Japanese Meiji Period Patinated Bronze Censer

$18,500

Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Carrying Twigs

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Meiji period bronze of a boy carrying twigs, they are strapped onto his back on a carrying frame and he carries a gourd water bottle in his right hand, signed in a seal. Japanese, ...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Carrying Twigs

$3,784

Antique Meiji Period Earthenware Vase with Butterfly Decoration

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This large antique earthenware vase was made in Japan is circa 1900 in the Meiji period and style. This vase stands a foot high and is done w...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Meiji Period Earthenware Vase with Butterfly Decoration

$1,450

Oversize Antique Japanese Hanging Flower Basket

Located in Hudson, NY

Oversize antique Japanese hanging flower basket. Dramatic and large (36" long) flower basket built to be hung on a wall with an insert so you can enjo...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Oversize Antique Japanese Hanging Flower Basket

$7,500

Pair of Japanese Large Bronze Vases with Turtles and Cranes

Located in Hudson, NY

Early Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze vases, incised, detailed designs on each vase. One vase is decorated with a family of cranes at a rocky water's edge, with flowers and an old pine tree. The other vase depicts turtles at a rocky water's edge with bamboo, along with turtles swimming...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Japanese Large Bronze Vases with Turtles and Cranes

$20,500 / set

Pair of Japanese Vases, 19th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Beautiful pair of Japanese vases. Embossed and chiseled bronze with floral motifs. Meiji period. This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any artwork in Italy...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Japanese Vases, 19th Century

$5,856 / set

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze Vase with Two Frogs

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Meiji period bronze vase with two frogs against a rough textured ground, signed ‘Hyakusei’, Japanese, circa 1880.

Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze Vase with Two Frogs

$3,784

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A charming Meiji period bronze of a boy collecting sweet chestnuts by Seiya, he carries a basket and is looking down at an insect crawling over his hand, he is also evidently wearing...

Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya

$9,204

Meiji Period, Bronze, Literate Writing , 19th Century

Located in Beaune, FR

Bronze with brown patina Meiji period representing a scholar sitting writing. The subject is presented on a small square-shaped base resting on 4 small feet. Very nice original brown...

Category

19th Century Asian Antique Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Period, Bronze, Literate Writing , 19th Century

$3,473

Antique Ikebana Basket , Bamboo, Early 20th Century, Japanese

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Ikebana basket for the art of flower arrangement. This ikebana basket features a weave pattern which creates a hexagon shape and a twisted handle. It has a rounded body with handle a...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Ikebana Basket , Bamboo, Early 20th Century, Japanese

$850

Meiji decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Satsuma, Ando Jubei, Kinkozan, and Inaba Cloisonne Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $83 and tops out at $98,000 while the average work can sell for $2,518.